An intronic variant rs2694777 in the GDNF family receptor alpha 1 gene (GFRA1) is among the common variants with suggestive association with rate of cognitive decline as measured by rate of change in CDR-SB (P = 1.2 x 10−5 European ancestry sample set and P = 6.77 x 10−6 in all races). Here, GFRA1 is linked to Mental deterioration.